It’s a good year when a video of the leader of the free world singing Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together” is uploaded to YouTube. President Obama’s very good Al Green attempt wasn’t the only video that had us clicking. Strange things happen when cell phones with video recorders meet the Internet. And this is why we’re most thankful to the almighty YouTube gods.

It’s been one hell of a year for online sensations. Going viral isn’t a prerequisite to making our list of the year’s best online videos. It’s not about the number of Internet scavengers who viewed a whacky video (although it’s a pretty good indicator of how great a phenomena it is). Whatever made us laugh until our bellies ached, smile so hard while thinking, ‘How cuuuute!’ or made us hit the replay button more than once, it made the list. From Jay-Z explaining who he was to an elderly woman on the subway to a grandma dancing to Tyga‘s “Rack City,” we loved it all.

Katy Perry isn’t done repping for President Obama just yet; and she takes her support for the reelection of the president seriously. How serious? Well, she wore a ballot dress for Obama’s campaign rally in Nevada. And like her wardrobe selection in Nevada, Perry showed up with a rather tight fitting (not that we’re complaining) Obama inspired blue dress for her performance at a free show in Milwaukee. Guess it’s safe to say we know who Katy Perry will not be voting for. Read more…

Last night, Katy Perry joined Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire and President Barack Obama himself at the President’s ’30 Days to Victory Concert’ fundraiser in Westwood, California. Dressed in a shimmery evening gown and with her nails done right (or Left, if we’re speaking politics) for the occasion, worked through a short set of her own hits — “Teenage Dream,” “Part Of Me” and “Firework” — before ending the evening with a dazzling cover of Al Green‘s classic “Let’s Stay Together.” It was a bold choice for Katy, given the President’s own history with the song. Read more…

Hot on the campaign trail pending this year’s election, President Obama is yet again proving why he’s a cut above the rest by releasing a Spotify playlist to soundtrack his campaign. No matter what you think of the Obama presidency, you can’t accuse the man and his minions of being inept when it comes to new technologies and social media. Indeed, the Spotify playlist, which itself is the primary “of the moment” device for music sharing, was promoted using Obama’s Facebook page and Twitter feed, giving the incumbent somewhat of a modern edge against would-be Presidential candidates. Not to mention making him unspeakably cool, which counts for almost everything to the social media generation.

So it turns out there’s not much President Obama can’t do — adding singing to his repertoire last week, Obama belted out a line of Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together” and the Internet stood in ovation. Now, American Idol‘s Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe is reaching out to Obama and Green with the following Tweet:

An Obama / Green duet? On American Idol? Is this even vaguely a possibility? We all know how much Obama likes to be “down with the kids,” especially when it comes to music, but it hardly seems likely that a President would partake in such frivolity. But then, stranger things have happened. We’re also wondering about the state of reality talent shows — are they floundering for ratings? Following today’s firings at US The X Factor and now American Idol‘s reaching out to President Obama, it seems like everyone is grappling for an audience.

Kelly Clarkson Gives “Mr. Know It All” A Sweet Country Remix
We’re really digging Kelly Clarkson‘s country-style recording of “Mr. Know It All”. It’s like someone took one of our most favorite things and bedazzled it or added a kicky beret — we love the original, but we love the upgrade too! [Pop Dust]

Cher Is Not Dead
Poor Cher was the subject of an internet death hoax, but it turns out that she’s thankfully alive and well. While we haven’t yet seen a cheesily wonderful Jon Bon Jovi display of life, we think there’s still time for Cher to post a photo with a sign saying something like, “Do you believe in life after Twitter hoax?” [NME]

Was Seal sending out a not-so-subtle message to soon to be ex-wife Heidi Klum, or was it just a happy coincidence that he sang Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together” on Ellen yesterday? Regardless, Seal gave a perfect vocal performance, staying true to Al Green’s style. Looking sharp as hell on his glittering stage, Seal’s rendition of the classic song was practically flawless, and he moved between the high and low notes with a naturalness that made the whole thing look criminally easy. So easy in fact, that we gave the song a go right here in the office — let’s just say that just because something looks easy, it doesn’t mean that it is.

President Obama Sings Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”
No matter what you think of President Obama‘s politics, you at least have to admit — dude is cool. Here he is singing Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together” at the Apollo Theatre in New York yesterday. [YouTube]

Swizz Beatz Is Apparently Not The CEO Of Megaupload
The latest update in the Megaupload FBI shutdown saga is that Swizz Beatz, who yesterday was named CEO of the beleaguered company, is actually not the CEO after all. He was just trying to be the CEO. Got it? [Media Beat]

As we all know, the Second Coming foretold in the Book of Revelations is due to arrive September 15, 1829October 22, 1844September 11?13, 1988 this Saturday, May 21, 2011, so it’s time to prepare for the Rapture. (No, not that one.) So, unless you get Left Behind, Kirk Cameron style, you have a limited time to listen to music! Which is why we have saved you some time by preparing playlists:

THE LAST FIVE SONGS FOR TRUE BELIEVERS by Nick Minichino
5) “The Man Comes Around” by Johnny Cash: In case you forgot what’s about to happen, this song is a handy primer.
4) “The Four Horsemen” by Metallica: The Rapture is going to be rough, so this track from Metallica’s 1983 debut Kill ‘Em All will get you in the right mental state for what’s ahead.
3) “B.I.B.L.E.” by GZA featuring Killah Priest: It’s an acronym for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”. Plus, it samples the Ohio Players! Nuff said.
2) “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone: It’s important to feel true remorse for those who will not be saved, and this powerful song will do the trick. Warning: if you feel any schadenfreude, that’s pride?a mortal sin?so be careful before you condemn anybody who won’t be coming with you.
1) “Jesus Is Waiting” by Al Green: Call Me, Green’s sexiest album, ends with this gospel precursor to R. Kelly‘s “Trapped in the Closet,” with the soul star and future reverend performing religious call-and-response with himself, and quipping “Save my soul, and I’ll save some for you.”